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Veterans
Expansion planned forVeterans Monument

A monument honoring Placentia's active and veteran military members will soon expand.

The city and the Veterans Advisory Committee have launched a communitywide fundraiser to add two new panels to the Veterans Monument at the Civic Center.

"The monument is close to being filled," said Director of Administrative Services Stephen Pischel, who serves as a city liaison to the committee. "We are close to running out of space."

The committee has sent letters to community members, businesses and nonprofit organizations requesting donations. So far, about $2,000 has been raised. It is expected $8,000 to $10,000 will be needed to complete the expansion project.

The monument, which was dedicated June 11, 1994, has more than 800 names etched on granite panels, including a middle panel honoring those who were killed in action. The expansion project would add two wings, each able to accommodate 200 names.

Ronald Culler, the committee's chair and an Air Force vet, said the monument brings awareness to the sacrifices men and women of Placentia have made.

"They all volunteered and put their trust in the government and said, ?My life is yours for a certain period of time' ? and that sacrifice in many cases was a permanent sacrifice," Culler said.

Antonio Rangel, who was part of the original effort to erect the monument, is listed on the monument, as are his brothers and cousins.

"The city is showing appreciation to the men and women who have served our country," Rangel

said. "We like it."

To be added to the Veterans Monument, the person must be a military veteran or in active service and be "raised, educated or entered the service in Placentia, including those who listed Placentia as their hometown when enlisting," Pischel said. An average of 10 names are added to the monument each year.

The goal is to complete the expansion project in time for the city's annual Veterans Day observance in November.

Find out more about the fundraiser or how to have a name listed on the monument at placentia.org/veterans or call 714-993-8141.